Overload release coupling



July 29, 1952 'r. R. SMITH 2,604,765

OVERLOAD RELEASE COUPLING Filed Feb. 17, 1950 2 ms-smaw 1 i5 L; ll

i w 40 Ii I J8 INVENTQR.

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29, 1952 T. R. SMITH OVERLOAD RELEASE coumnc 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1950 77 Jim INVENTOB. 7/20772425/2 57724176, BY

Patented July 29, 1952 OVERLOAD RELEASE COUPLING Thomas It. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1950, Serial No. 144,839

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to friction clutches and more particularly to friction clutches which are essentially independent of normal variations in coeflicient of friction and operate to transmit a constant torque in a predetermined amount from a driving member to a driven member but which permit slippage between these members when the torque exceeds such predetermined amount.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a constant torque slip clutch of simple construction which in one direction of rotation of a driving member effects a frictional drive between said member and a driven member for transmitting torque in a predetermined amount, but which permits slippage between the members when the torque exceeds such predetermined amount and which at the same time provides a non-slip driving connection between said members upon rotation of said driven member in the opposite direction.

In many power transmitting assemblies, the capacity required of an electric motor to cause rotation at normal operating speeds of some instrumentality driven thereby is less than is necessary to bring said instrumentality up to speed from rest within relatively short periods of time. In such instances, the initial load. placed upon the motor would be such as to burn out the field windings of the motor unless some provision is made to control the load whereby the motor is not overloaded during the time when the load is initially applied to said motor. From an economical standpoint, it is more desirable to provide a motor of capacity sufficient to operate the instrumentality at normal operating speeds of rotation and to provide some means to prevent overloading of the motor during the initial starting operation, otherwise a larger motor would be necessary to carry the load placed upon it during the initial starting operation. Such means may take the form of a clutch mechanism adapted to permit slippage between the motor and the instrumentality during the initial starting operation to protect the motor against being overloaded, the said clutch mechanism being so designed as to eliminate the slippage after the instrumentality has been brought up to normal operating speeds, whereby the motor is capable of operating under non-slip conditions to maintain this normal operating speed. Clutches of this type are particularly adapted for use in washing machines in which. a basket or receptacle is brought up to speed for spinning the basket to remove liquid from the material contained therein. In suGh devices, a

motor of relatively small capacity may be used to bring the basket from rest up to operating speed within a reasonable length of time by providing a friction clutch of the type herein contemplated between the motor and basket to prevent overloading of the motor during that period of time, after which the motor operates to spin the basket at normal operating speed Without slippage in the clutch mechanism.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide novel clutch mechanisms adapted to be used under the circumstances immediately above enumerated, whereby some instrumentality such as a basket or container for a washing machine, together with its load, may be brought up to normal operating speeds within a reasonable length of time without overloading the driving motor, but which provides for transmittal of torque without slippage once the normal operating speed has been attained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide clutch mechanism of the type hereinabove described which incorporates means for dampening any vibration or oscillations set up in the free end of the spring clutch member during the accelerating period when the clutch is partially unloaded.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical cross-sectional view of a constant torque slip clutch made in accordance with the present invention, the same being taken in a plane represented by line li of Figure 2 of the drawings;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the clutch taken in the plane represented by lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation taken in the plane represented by line 3-3 of Figure 2 of the drawings: 7

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 of the drawings, disclosing a modified form of clutch mechanism, the same being in the plane represented by line 44 of Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken in the plane represented by line 5-5 of Figure 4 of the drawings;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary hOli-g zontal cross-sectional view of the clutch mechanism taken adjacent the free end of the clutch member;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing more in detail the construction for the driven member;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation taken in the plane represented by lines 8-8 of Figure 5 of the drawings; and

Figure .9 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section taken in the plane represented by lines 99 of Figure 5 of the drawings.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is disclosel in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings as comprising a driving member in the form of a pulley 2, a driven member 4 and a friction clutch mechanism, generally referred to as 6, which is adapted to transmit torque from the driving member to the driven member. This illustrative example of the invention is particularly suitable for a powe'r'drive in a washing machine of the type in which a washing operation, including the washing of the clothes and the drying of the clothes by centrifugal action is effected. The pulley 2 has a V-shaped peripheral groove I6 adapted to receive a belt driven by a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor or the like, which is adapted to rotate the pulley and the mechanism operatively connected thereto. This pulley 2 is formed with a central hub 12 having a bushing or bearing l4 which is mounted for rotation about a central hub l6 of the driven member 4. Disposed in spaced relation to the central hub I2 is a cylindrical wall l8 depending downwardly from the body portion of the pulley which provides a cylindrical wall surface 26 adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clutch mechanism 6.

The hub it of the driven member is splined, as at 22, to a driven shaft 24 for operating any desired instrumentality. The said driving and driven members are secured in operative relation to the shaft 24 by means of a spring retaining member 26 mounted within an annular groove 2'! formed in the driven shaft 24 adjacent its end which is disposed in abutting relation to the driven member l. member 4 is further characterized as being provided with a disc-shaped body portion 28 eX- tending radially and outwardly from the central hub 16 and which is adapted to support the pulley 2 through a washer 36 which surrounds the central hub l6 and is in bearing relation to the central hub l2 and bearing I4 of the pulley 2. The driven member 4 is further provided with an upstanding wall 32 disposed radially and inwardly of the periphery thereof to form an annular shoulder 34, this wall 32 being disposed in opposite and spaced relation to the wall [8 of the pulley 2. Mounted upon the annular shoulder 34 of the driven member and dis posed within the space between the walls I8 and 32 is an expansible brake band 36 having a brake band lining 38 attached thereto which is adapted to be expanded into frictional engagement with the inner surface 26 of wall I8 whereby torque is transmitted between the driving member 2 and the driven member 4.

The clutch mechanism of the present invention is designed for transmitting a constant torque in a predetermined amount from the driving member 2 to the driven member 4 when said driving member is rotate-d in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings, and which will permit slippage between the two members when the torque exceeds that amount. Such clutch The driven mechanism includes a curved spring element 40 carried by the ends of the brake band 36 disposed within the space defined by the wall 32 and wall 18 thereof. The central portion of this curved spring element rests upon the lugs 42 and 44 and the same has radially disposed end portions 46 and 48 extending outwardly through an opening 50 provided in the wall 32. As more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, the end portions 46 and 48 are each formed with a tongue 52 of less width than the width of the spring element at which is adapted to be received within one of the slots 54 formed in and adjacent the ends of the clutch band 36. Each of these tongue portions 52 is provided with a lateral or upstanding projection 56 which interlooks with the clutch band 36 to hold the spring 40 in associated relation with said clutch band. As will be clearly apparent, the spring 46 is connected to the clutch band by moving the spring element 40 into angular relation to the clutch band at which time the projection 56 of each of the tongues can be inserted into one of the slots 52 at each end of the clutch band. The spring element 48 may then be moved into its substantially horizontal position as shown in the drawings, during which time the projections 56 interlock with the ends of the brake band to hold the same in assembled relation.

The embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is designed for transmittal of a constant torque between the driving member and the driven member when the driving member is rotated in either direction. As shown in Figure 2, the driving member is shown as being rotated in a counterclockwise direction at which time the radially disposed end portion 48 of the spring 46 abuts one edge of the wall 32 which defines the opening 50 to position the clutch band and the lining, while the other end of the spring 46 is effective in applying a force to the brake band for expanding the brake band lining 38 into frictional engagement with the friction surface 20 for the transmission of a constant torque from the driving member to the driven member. Thus it will be seen that the spring 46 transmits all of the torque from the driving to the driven member. In the event the clutch mechanism is overloaded, because of an overload on the driven member 4 whereby a force is transmitted through the spring 40 greater than its designed loading, the spring force applied to the clutch band through the end portion 46 of the spring is overcome to flex the spring 40 in the direction of the end 48 to permit slippage between the driving member and the driven memebr. Under such conditions the spring 46 will be compressed, and upon being compressed, the free end 46 in moving toward the end 48 will move the end of the brake band with it, which results in a total reduction of the contact pressure between the brake band and drum.

When the driving member is rotated in a clockwise direetion as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings, the outer end portion 46 of the spring is moved into engagement with the other end of including a drivingmember in the form of a pulley 2, a driven member 58 and a clutch mechanism 6i] interposed therebetween for transmitting constant torque of a predetermined amount between thedriving member and thedriven member and to permit slippage betweensaid members when the torque exceeds suchamount. As in the previous illustration of the invention, the pulley 2 has a V-shapedperipheral groove ID adaptedto receive a belt driven by some suitable source of power such as an electric-motor or the like. This pulley 2 is formed with the central hub l2 having a bearing or bushing l-4 mounted for rotation about the central hub .62 of the driven member .58. The pulley- 2 is further provided-with a downwardly depending wall l8 having an inner cylindrical friction surface 2!] adapted to be frictionally engaged by the clutch mechanism-60.

The hub 62 of the driven member is splined,

as at 64, to a driven shaft-6B ior operating the desired instrumentality. The driving and driven members are retained in operative position with respect to the shaft 66 by means of a spring rewhich abuts or engages the driven member 58. The driven member 58 is further :formed with a disc-like portion 12 extending radially from the central hub 62 which is adapted. to support the pulley 2 through the medium of a washer 14 disposed in bearing relation to the lower end of the hub 12 and bushing l4 thereof, The driven member 58 is also provided with an upstanding wall 16 disposed radially and inwardly of the periphery thereof to provide an annular shoulder 18, the wall 1-6 being concentric with and spaced inwardly of the wall l8 of the driving member 2. Mounted upon the annular shoulder 18 and disposed within the space between the walls 18 and i6 is an expansible clutch band 80 having a lining 82 attached thereto, whichis adapted to be expanded into frictional engagement with the surface 20 of the driving member whereby torque is transmitted between the driving member and the driven member.

As more particularly shown in Figure of the drawings, the wall 16 is formed with an opening 84 into which extends a reinforcing web :86 terminating at theoutside diameter of the wall 76 and being spaced circumferentially-from the endiiii of the wall It to provide a slot 99. As in the previously described modification. the clutch mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5 includes a curved spring element 82 carried by clutch band 86 and i disposed within the space defined by the wall 16 thereof. The central portion of this .curved spring element rests upon the lugs 94 and 96 and the same has radially-disposed end portions 98 and H extending outwardly through the opening 84, the former in spaced relation to the end 22 of the wall 16 and the latter of which is disposed within the slot 90 between the reinforcing web 86 and the end Bil-of wall 16.

As more clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9 of ,5 the drawings, the end-portions 9B and we .are

each formed with a tongue EM of less width than the width of the spring element 32 which is adapted to be received within one of the slots )6 formed in and adjacent, the ends ofv the .clutch band $5. Each of these tongue portions [84 is provided with a lateral or upstanding projection I08 which interlocks with the clutch band 3.3 to hold the spring 92 in associated relation with said clutch band. It will be clearly apparent that the spring 92 may be connected to the clutch band by moving the spring into angular relation to the clutch band at which time the projection (d8 of each of the tongues can be inserted into one of the slots IE6 at each end of the clutch band. The spring element 92 may then be moved into the substantially horizontal position as shown in the drawings, during which time the projections I68 interlock with the ends of the brake band to hold the same in assembled relation. As will be noted, by positioning the radially extending portion IEO of the spring 92 in the slot 99 and connecting the same to the clutch band 86 serves to anchor one end of the clutch band to the driven member 58. The other radially extending portion 98 of the spring 92 is connected to the clutch band 30 in spaced relation to the wall portion I02 whereby the end of the clutch band is free to move during the operation of the clutch mechanism.

In this modification, constant torque is transmitted between the driving member and the riven member in a predetermined amount with slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount when the driving member is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5 of the drawings. The operation of the clutch of Figures 4 and 5 upon overloading is the same as hereinabove described in connection with the embodiment of Figures ,1 to 3.

required to cause slippage when the driving shaft rotates in a counter-clockwise direction.

In the modified structure as illustrated in Figures t to 9, inclusive, means is provided for damping any vibration or oscillation set up in the free end of the spring element during the accelerating period when the clutch mechanism is partially unloaded. As clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, the wall :8 adjacent the end I92 thereof, as well as the adjacently disposed flange 1.8, is grooved as at lit] and H2. Ilnterposed between the wall it and theclutch band v230 is an arcuate-shaped spring element H4 having its ends received within the grooves H0 and H2 and slidably engaging the beveled marginal surfaces lit thereof, for restraining the movement of the free end of the clutch band .88 and in turn the freeend of the spring 92 during certain periods of operation of the brake mechanism. Thus, for example, the spring H4 serves to dampen any vibration or oscillations set up in the .free end .of the spring 92 .during the accelerating .Deriod when the'clutch mechanism is partially unloaded.

.As will be apparent, the torque at which the clutch ..m echanisms hereinabove described will slip is dependent upon the initial loading of the springs 92 and lid, assuming ofcourse that the spring tension of the brake band is neutral. This can be accomplished by making the spring with .a greater or less spring tension or by adjusting one end ,thereofsuch, for example, as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 56,846, filed October 27, 1948, now Patent No. 2,582,077, dated January 8, 1952.

As will be clearly apparent, the friction drive between the driving member and driven member both of the above illustrative embodiments of the invention builds up exponentially in accordance with the formula: Torque=ke where k is a constant, e is the base of the natural logarithm 2.71828, f is the coeflicient of friction and go is the angular wrap of the clutch band about the wall 18 expressed as radians which, in this illustrative embodiment of the invention, is slightly less than 360. Accordingly, a friction drive is effected which will cause slippage between the driving member and driven member at a constant maximum torque. This drive between these members is also always effective below this maximum torque value regardless of any reasonable variation in the coeificient of friction.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial No. 56,845, filed October 27, 1948.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between saidvmembers when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions, said one of said members having an abutment, one of said end portions being connected to one end of said clutch member and being engageable with said abutment and the other of said end portions being connected to the other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with said other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

2. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member having concentrically disposed cylindrical walls radially spaced with respect to one another, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inner member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof, a curved spring element carried by the inner of said members and having one end engaging one end of said clutch member and the inner of said cylindrical walls for holding said clutch member and spring element in operative position with respect to said inner member, the other end of said clutch member extending circumferentially beyond an edge of said opening, the other end of said spring element being connected to said other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

3. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member having concentrically disposed cylindrical walls radially spaced with respect to one another, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inner member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof, a curved spring element carried by the inner of said members and having radially extending end portions, one of said end portions being engageable with one end of said clutch member and the inner of said cylindrical walls at one side of said opening for positioning said clutch member and spring element in operative position with respect to said inner member, the other end of said clutch member extending circumferentially beyond the other side of said opening, the other end portion of said spring element extending through said opening and being connected to said other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

4. In combination, a driven shaft, a driven member provided with a hub fixed thereto and having a cylindrical wall, a drive member having a hub supported by said driven member and mounted for rotation about said first named hub, said drive member having a cylindrical wall concentrically disposed with respect to said first named cylindrical wall and spaced outwardly thereof, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members and beingfrictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions, said one of said members having an abutment, one of said end portions being connected to one end of said clutch member and being engageable with said abutment and the other of said end portions being connected to the other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with said other of said memebrs whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

5. In combination, a driven shaft, a driven member provided with a hub fixed thereto and having a cylindrical wall, a drive member having a hub supported by said driven member and mounted for rotation about said first named hub, said drive member having a cylindrical wall concentrically disposed with respect to said first named cylindrical wall and spaced outwardly thereof, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inner member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof, a curved spring element carried by the inner Of said members and having one end engaging one end of said clutch member and the inner of said Cylindrical walls for holding said clutch member and spring element in operative position with respect to said inner member, the other end of said clutch member extending circumferentially beyond an edge of said opening, the other end ofsaid spring element being connected to'said other end of said clutch member to exert. a forceto expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

6. In combination, a drivenshaft, a driven member provided with a hub fixed thereto and having a cylindrical wall, a drive member having a hub supported-by said driven member and mounted for rotation about said first named hub, said drive member having a cylindrical wall concentrically disposed with respect to said first named cylindrical wall and spaced outwardly thereof, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven memberand permitting slippage between said members when the torqueexceeds said amount, said means in-. cludingan expansibleclutchr member-carried by one'oi said members-withinzthe space between said cylindrical walls and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inher member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof, a curved spring element carried by the innerof said members and having radially extending end portions, one of said end portion being engageable with one end of said clutch member andthe inner of said cylindrical walls at one side of said openin for positioning said clutch memberand spring element in operative position with respect to said inner member, the other end of saidclutch member extending circumferentially beyond the other side of said opening, the other end portion of said spring element extending'through said opening and being connected to said other end of saidclutch member to'exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagementwith the cylindrical wall ofthe other of said members where by torque is transmitted between said members.

7. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven membery'and means providing for the transmittalof aconstant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member andpermitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, saidmeans including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, means for holdingone end of said clutch member against relative displacement with respect to one of said members in at least one direction of rotation thereof, spring means connected to the other end of said clutch member for expanding the same into frictional engagement with the other of said members, and an auxiliary spring means associated with said other end of said clutch member for dampening vibrations set up in said end.

8. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving tosaid driven member and'permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carriedby one of said, members and being irictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members andhaving radially extending end portions, said one of said members having an abutment, one of said end portions being connected to-one end of said clutch member and being engageable witlisaid abutmentand the other of said end portions be: ingiccnnected to the other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand saidclutch member into frictional engagement. with said other of said members whereby torque is transf mitted between said members, and an auxiliary spring means associated with said other end of said clutch member for dampening vibrations se up' in said end. i

9. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member having concentrically disposed cylindrical walls radiall spaced with respect to one anothen'and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque ina predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permittin slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and being irictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inner member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof, a curved spring element carried by the inner of said members and having one end engaging one end of said clutch member and the inner of said cylindrical walls for holding said clutch member and spring element in operative position with respect to said inner member, the other end of said clutch member extending circumferentially beyond an edge of said opening, the other end of said sprin ele, ment being connectedto said other end of said clutch member to exert .a force to expand said clutch memberzinto frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall-of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members, and an auxiliary spring element interposed between said inner wall and the other end of-said clutch member for dampening vibrations set up insaid end. p i

10. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a drivenmember having concentrically' disposed cylindrical walls radially spaced I with respect to one another, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch member carriedby one of said members within the space betweensaid cylindrical walls and being frictionally engageable with the other of said members, the inner member having an opening provided in the cylindrical wall thereof,

a curved spring element carried by the inner of said members and having radially extending end portions, one of said endportions being engageable withone end of said clutch member and the inner of said cylindrical walls at one side of said opening forpositioning said clutch member and spring element in operative position with respect to saidiinn-er member, th other-end ofsa-id clutch member extending circurnierentially beyond the other side of said opening, the -other end portion of said spring element extending through said opening and being connected to wipes 1 1 said other end of said clutch member to exert a force to expand said clutch member into frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members, and an auxiliary spring element interposed between said inner wall and the other end of said clutch member for dampening vibrations set up in said end.

11. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by one of said members and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions connected adjacent the ends of said clutch band for expanding said clutch band lining into frictional engagement with the other of said members, and an abutment disposed between said spring element and clutch band and engageable with either of said end portions when torque is transmitted between said driving and driven members.

12. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by one of said members and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, said clutch band having slots adjacent the ends thereof, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions received in said slots and interlocking with said clutch band, and an abutment disposed between said spring element and clutch band and engageable with either of said end portions when torque is transmitted between said driving and driven members.

13. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by one of said members and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, said clutch band having slots adjacent the ends thereof, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions, said end portions terminating in tongue portions received in said slots and each having a lateral projection engaging said clutch band to interlock said spring element therewith, and an abutment disposed between said spring element and clutch band and engageable with either of said end portions when torque is transmitted between said driving and driven members.

14. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member having concentrically disposed cylindrical walls radially spaced with respect to one another, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount for said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially disposed end portions extending through an opening provided in the wall of said member and being connected to said clutch band adjacent its ends, one of said end portions forming an abutment engageable with the wall of said member and the other end portion being adapted to exert a force to expand said clutch band lining into frictional engagement with the wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

15. A friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member having concentrically disposed cylindrical walls radially spaced with respect to one another, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by one of said members within the space between said cylindrical walls and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, said clutch band having slots adjacent the ends thereof, a curved. spring element carried by said one of said members and having radially extending end portions, said end portions terminating in tongue portions received in said slots and each having a lateral projection engaging said clutch band to interlock said spring element therewith, one of said end portions forming an abutment engageable with the wall of said member and the other end portion being adapted to exert a force to expand said clutch band lining into frictional engagement with the wall of the other of said members whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

16. A friction clutch comprising a driving member having a cylindrical wall, a driven member having a cylindrical wall spaced radially inwardly of said first-named cylindrical wall and having an opening therein, and means providing for the transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expansible clutch band carried by said driven member in embracing relation to the wall thereof and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, a curved spring element mounted on said driven member and having radially disposed end portions extending through the opening in the wall of said driven member, said end portions being connected to said clutch band adjacent its ends, one of said end portions forming an abutment engageable with the wall of said driven member and the other end portion being adapted to exert a force to expand said clutch band lining into frictional engagement with the wall of said driving member whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

17. A friction clutch comprising a driving member having a cylindrical wall, a driven member having a cylindrical wall spaced radially inwardly of said first-named cylindrical wall and having an opening therein, and means providing for the 13 transmittal of a constant torque in a predetermined amount from said driving to said driven member and permitting slippage between said members when the torque exceeds said amount, said means including an expan'sible clutch band carried by said driven member in embracing relation to the wall thereof and having a clutch band lining frictionally engageable with the other of said members, said clutch band having slots adjacent the ends thereof, a curved spring element carried by said driven member and having radially disposed end portions extending through the opening in the wall of said driven member, said end portions terminating in tongue portions received in said slots and each having a lateral projection engaging said clutch band to interlock said spring element therewith, one of said end portions forming an abutment engageable with the wall of said driven member and the other end portion being adapted to exert a force to expand said clutch band lining into frictional engagement with the wall of said driving member whereby torque is transmitted between said members.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

